AUSGRID JOINS CAMPAIGN

Minister for Women, Pru Goward and Minister for Resources and Energy, Chris Hartcher today announced a new partnership between Women NSW and Ausgrid to encourage more women into electrical trades.

“With the support of Women NSW, Ausgrid will host the first Women in Trades Work Experience Week from 26 – 29 November this year at their learning centre in Silverwater,” Ms Goward said.

Female high school and TAFE students will get to experience the work of electrical mechanics, cable jointers and line workers, while also gaining hands-on experience in wiring power circuits and constructing extension leads.

“Currently only one per cent of electrical trade apprentices in NSW are women so I would like to see more girls and women considering a career in this area. NSW is experiencing a skills shortage in electrical trade workers and there are significant opportunities for women and girls in this growth area."

“This partnership with Ausgrid is a positive step towards boosting the number of females taking up apprenticeships in male-dominated trades and represents just one in a series of initiatives as part of the NSW Government’s Women in Trades program,” Ms Goward said.

Minister Hartcher said power company Ausgrid, with its established apprenticeship program and as one of the largest employers of apprentices in NSW, is well placed to partner with this program.

“Ausgrid has 16 female apprentices currently in training to become part of the frontline workforce so they’re a natural fit with this program."

“This work experience week is a wonderful opportunity for girls to receive a practical introduction to electrical trades. They will be able to find out what it’s really like to choose a trade as your career from women already in this field of work,” Mr Hartcher said.